Acceleration

“The world is full of ugly, twisted people. There, that’s my Mister Rogers thought for the day.”

From the very beginning, Duncan sports a pessimistic—borderline nihilistic—point of view. After his breakup with Kim, the teen has few people whom he considers warm, affectionate, or normal. His parents, two friends, and Kim are exceptions. He sees ugliness in people because he expects it to be there. 

“Having a future’s way overrated.”

As Duncan and Wayne discuss Wayne’s job at Dairy Barn, the latter reveals his tendency to focus on the moment. His small-time criminal exploits are the acts of someone who expects an early death or a future in prison. He doesn’t take his job seriously because he does not believe it will last. This foreshadows the moment when his boss fires him after believing he stole 600 dollars. 

“He frowns, holding the bottom of the club up to the light. Probably scratched from my putting with it on cement. For some reason this makes me happy. This guy goes through life with his perfect hair and shining eyes. Like life’s a dream. He could use a little scratch on his perfection.” 

For most of the novel, Duncan is unable to find pleasure or peace in normal activities. He resents those who appear to have lives of privilege and ease. He enjoys watching the man inspect his damaged putter, his happiness compounded by his own hand in it. Duncan frames the game of golf as a leisurely activity for people who don’t understand hardship, and he assumes that the man in front of him has no problems.